Electrical switch for incapacitated persons



NOV. 1, 194-9. FERRANTE 2,486,591

ELECTRICAL SWITCH FOR INCAPACITATED PERSONS Filed Oct. 25, 1947 INVENTOR. An'honjl I E/"ran is www ATTOE/VEK? Patented Nov. 1, 1949 ELECTRICAL SWITCH FOR IN CAPACITATED PERSONS Anthony Fcrrante, Greenfield, Mass.

Application October 23, 1947, Serial No. 781,658

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an electrical switch and, more paticularly, to an electrical switch which, through a spring, automatically opens the circuit to an electrically operated device.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch, the circuit opening action of which is dependent upon either the conscious or unconscious relaxation of the hand.

A further object is to provide a switch adapted to the use of incapacitated persons.

Still another object is to provide a switch tha is automatically opened when the electrically operated device associated therewith is out of service.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of these objectives, the instant invention discloses a case adapted to be held in the hand. At one end of the case, at the top, is a hingedly mounted member designed to be closed over the top against the compression of a coiled spring disposed between the case and the hingedly mounted member. An electrical contact on the top of the case and a co-acting contact on the base of the hingedly mounted member closes the circuit when brought together by the squeezing action of the hand. As soon as the pressure of the hand is relaxed, the contacts automatically separate breaking the circuit to one or more associated electrical devices. In this way, a radio con- 9 trolled by the switch is automatically shut off when the person falls asleep. In the same manner, a night light may be extinguished, a faulty switch by-passed, a single plug doubled, and code signals transmitted. With the switch disposed in the handle of a bufier wheel, the tool ceases to operate as soon as the pressure of the hand guiding the tool is relinquished. Similarly, the operation of vacuum cleaners, drills, saws, electric irons, electric razors and the like, when equipped with the switch of this invention, is under the constant control of the hand guiding the operation of the electrical device.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the switch constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the switch shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the switch shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral Ill indicates the switch, II the case, and [2 the handle member.

The case I I is open at the top with longitudinal recess I 3 adapted to accommodate the handle member I2,, hingedly connected at one end thereof by any suitable means such as the pin I4.

Attached to the top of the case II is the electrical contact strip I5 to which the conductor I6 is electrically connected. The electrical contact I'I, disposed on the base of the handle member I2, is adapted to be brought in electrical contact with the aforementioned electrical contact strip I5. When the handle member I2 is depressed, the conductor I8 is electrically connected to the contact IT.

The coiled spring I9, disposed between the case I I and the handle member I2, is adapted to maintain the switch normally open unless closed by sufficient force to overcome the action of the coiled spring I9.

In the handle member I2 is the locking slot 20 which receives the locking plate 2 I, co-acting with pin 22 to maintain the switch closed without grasping when so desired.

The aperture 23 in the handle member I2 is adapted to receive still another pin 24 disposed in the case II for the purpose of limiting the movement of the handle member I2.

Of course, it is quite possible to incorporate multiple pole, as well as multiple pole and multiple throw, switches in this device.

, It is apparent that the specific illustrations shown have been given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that the structure above described is subject to a wide variation and modification without departing from the scope or intent of the invention, all such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

An electrical switch adapted to be held in the hand said switch comprising in combination a case having a longitudinal recess formed substantially along top surface portion of said case, a single handle member disposed in said recess, means pivotally connecting one end of said handle member with said case, at least one coiled spring disposed between said case and handle member close to said pivotal means and intermediate the ends of the handle member and adapted to maintain said case and handle member apart, at least one electrical contact strip on top surface portion of said case substantially in said recess, at least one co-acting electrical contact on bottom surface portion of said handle member, at least one electrical conductor attached to each of said contacts adapted for attachment to independent electrical devices, and fastening means for said case and handle member adapted to maintain the same in closed position and comprising an aperture formed at opposite end of said handle member, aligned aperture formed in said case, and a pin 3 4 movably disposed in said apertures and adapted to lock said case and handle member in closed posi- REFERENCES CITED tion, and means for limiting the movement of the The following references are of record in the handle member in said recess and comprising: anfile of patent: other aperture formed in said handle member, 5 between said pivotal means and said coiled spring, UNITED STATES PATENTS and another pin in said case within the last-men- Number Name Date tioned aperture and adapted to: limit the move- 20,6 ,546 Dow: July 30, 1878 ment of said handle member within the diameter 666,956 Dickerson Jan. 29, 1901 of said aperture. 10 1,593,029 Pagiiarul July 20, 1926 ANTHONY FERRANI'EZ 

